Mud screen



` March s, 1940.

L. G. sYMoNs MUD SCREEN Filed March 22, 1937 e sheets-sheet 1y March 5, 1940.

L. G. SYMONS MUD SCREEN Filed March 22, 1937 s sheets-shet 2 5, FM@ m@ March 5, 1940. l.. G. sYMoNsV 2,192,278

` v MUD SCREEN Filed March 22, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ira-vena? lore/zz @2720725 @y Afm L. G. SYMONS MUD SCREEN March 5, 1940.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 22, 1957 fm2/s727507" I March 5, 1940. l.. G. sYMoNs MUD SCREEN l Filed March 22, 1937 6 Sheets-Shee-t 6 IRT/67225074 Zaren Q/Qgmm @MAM Patented Mu. s, 1940 UNITED STATES PAT-'ENT OFFICE c i I 2,192,218 l MUD SCREEN Loren G. Symons, Hollywood, Calif., assigner to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application Maren 22,. 1931,.- serm No. 132,216 1o 4(ci. 209-215) My invention relates to animprovement in screens and has forl one purpose the provision of a screen for separating materials or particles of mixed sizes. j

5 Another purpose is the provision ofv a screen wherein a minimum of vibration shall be trans-g mitted to the screen base or support.

Another purpose vis the provision of an improved means for mounting and tensioning thev l cloth or mesh of such a screen.

Another purposeis the provision of improvedmeans for vibrating thescreen frame as a whole.

Another purpose is the provision of improved unbalancedrotary means for imparting vibration l to such a screen.

Another purposeLis" the provision of improved means for mounting or supporting the screen 'frameonitsbasa Another purpose is the provision of improved driving means. I

Another purpose is the provision of means for stabilizing the screen frame during its vibration.

Other purposes will appear from time to timein the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagram-r matically in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view;

Figure `2 is a side elevation; Figure 3 is a section .on the line 3-3 of Fig-, ure'2;. i

Figure 4 is a section `on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale; i

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure l, on an enlarged scale;

`Figure 6 is a section on'the line ii-G of-Fig 1 ure 5; v

Figure '7 is a section on'the line 'l-'l of Figne 1, on an enlarged scale and with parts broken away, .showing the lscreen clothbefore it is Figure 8 isa section on the line 8--8 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale;

. Figure9` is a sectionon the line 9--9 of Figure '2, on an enlarged'scale;` 45 Figure 10 is a detail side elevation looking in the direction ofthe arrow Xin'Figure -3, with the cover removed;

Figures ll, 12 and 13 are diagrammaticillus- )0 trations of the direction of` movement of the screeniat different points along the length of the screen;I e' l Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal section on an enlarged scale showing the screen support- '55 ing means; and, Y

Figure 15 is a section on the line il-IS of Figure 14. i

Like parts are' in cated lby like symbols throughout the specication and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, I generally indicates 5 any suitable supporting surface upon which the screen may be laid, such as the floor of a mill, Y 2, y2 indicate. side frame elements, each shown as including lower channel members 2a and upper channel members 2b. 'I hese channel `members l0 may be connected at the feed or receiving end by any suitable end members or supports, for example channels 3a, 3b. The discharge end `is open. The lower channels 2a are lshown as penetrated byside outlet members 4, 5 forl permit- 15 ting the escape' of material passing through the screen. i6 indicates a deflector or inclined ma-V terial receiving vplate extending beneath the frame elements downwardly toward the side out- 1ers. 1 is 'a yreflector arche opposite side of `the 20 side outlets, andI 8 is a terminal deflector under# lying the end of the screenI and extending outwardly toward the lower end of the screen frame. Assuming vthat the screen is being used as .a

mud screen for ltering solids out of water, the 25 water simply'flows down to the plate 6 and out through one of the lateral passages 4 or 5. Generally, one of the passages is closed by any suit- 1 able closure means not herein shown, as it is not ordinarily necessary to employ more than 30 one aperture at a time. The solids go by the end of the screen and may be received by any suitable means, conveyor or the like. Frequently, as in the use of mud screens in the oil fields, the solids are simplyiowed or delivered to a pit or sump. 35 y i Adjacent the receiving end of the base thus formed are upwardly 'extending side members 9 upon which are angle members or shelves l0. Mounted upon the said shelves and spanning the distance between the side frame members are a 40 pair of channels Il, |2. 'Positioned upon these channels is a' oor I3 which, with the side mem- Vbers i4, i5 forms adelivery'spout for the delivery of material tol be screened.

I1 indicates any suitable extension deliverytrough for delivering material to the spout from any suitable source. I illustrate a pluralityof deflectors I8 adjustably mounted as by bolts i9 and nuts 2li for controlling the ow of material across the spout floor i3.

2| indicates an angle iron eiitending between 50 the side frame or base members and 22 isan additional cross member or support secured to one flange ofthe member 2ll and spanning the distance between the side frame members 2, 2

and 9. It will be observed that the upper flange 55 of the member 2|, as at 23, is inclined upwardly. Positioned upon the upper face of the member 23 are a pair of parallel rubber strips 24, 24 which may be positioned as by Welded strips or limit members 25, 26, 21. These may roughly be def scribed as .serving as a species of toggle. Positioned upon the upper faces of the-strips 24 is the angle member 28 with its upwardly extending ange 29. The lowerfaceof the memberv 28`is also provided with'corresponding strips 25, 26 w and a plate 30. The angle 28 is clamped downwardly against the flange 23 of the angle 2| by a plurality of bolts 3| headed as at 32 and provided with nuts 33. I also illustrate a longitudinally extending metal strip'34 below the lower face of the member 23 and a similar strip 35 above vthe upper face of the'member 28. The bolts 3| pass through these strips. Positioned upon each said strip is a strip ofv rubber 36, 31-

which is compressed against its opposed metal permitted to tilt and to permit a lateral movement of the member 28 in relation to the member 23. This is made possible because the angle 39 and the channel 38 themselves rest upon rubber members 36 and 31, compressed against the lower side of the member 23 andthe upper side of the member 28, respectively. g

Extending upwardly from the flange 29 and bolted thereto is a U-shaped rubber vmember'or dam' I4I). It is cut away to conform -to the contour of the feed spout formed by the members I3, I4 and I5 and is bolted at its edges as by the bolts 4| to the metal members or strips 42, 43. The cstrip 42 forms part of a U-shaped member which is clamped by the bolts 4Ifto a terminal ange 44 of. the side member I4 .or` I5. 'I'he strip 43 engages a flange 44 of the side wall 45 of the screen structure which will later be described.' Thus the rubber dam 48 forms a iiexible connection between the feed spout formed bythe walls I3, I4 and I5 and the screen structure proper which will later be described. The

.use of this dam makes a water tight' connection between the feed spout I1 and the feed end of the screen and insures that all the liquid which y A is delivered from the feed spout will flow 'out on.

the screen mesh and cannot back up or escape without passing over the screen. In other words, the dam constrains all the material to pass over the screen itself and be screened.

Referring to the screen structure, the side walls 45 of relatively thin sheet metal extend from end to end of the screen. They are connected at the feed end by the already described angle-28, 29. 'I'he side'walls are also provided with inwardly extending angles 41 herein shown as generally arcuate in form and upwardly arched from end to end of the screen. Mounted `on these angles and extending between the side members are a plurality of transverse angles 48, the upper edges of which carry rubber pads 49 .which are positioned between the upper edge of one ange of the angle 48 and an associated inclined transverse member 50 as shown for example in Figures 4 and 5. With reference, for,

Aaiaacvs example, to Figures 14 and 15, the cross bars 48 and 50 are permanently connected by rivets 50a surrounded by washers 50h. The rubber pad 49 is T-shaped in cross section, with the lower arm of the T notched as at 49a to conform generally to the washers 50h and partially underlies them. The member 491can simply be rolled into place and can be removed by being rolled or stripped out of place. When it is in place, in rectilinear position; the portions 49b lock under the washers 50h and hold. the strip suiiiciently rmly in position to prevent unintended removal. The triangular cross section of the transverse member or strut which is formed by the @members 48 and 58 gives maximum strength lwith minimum weight and preventscrystallization and failure. I lnd it advantageous to employ a flat top for the pad 49 with relatively sharp corners at the edges. These corners, particularly lin connection with the generally arcuate form of the wire mesh, causes the edges of the vmember 49 to be pressed firmly into the mesh ofthe wire or the screen trough. 'I'his prevents particles fromgetting in between the membery 49 and the mesh and wearing the rubber. Channels are also provided as at which carry upwardly extending rubber pads 52, it being understood that the screenv cloth or mesh 53 rests 'upon the pads 49 and 52 and is clamped in position thereupon as below described. Also secured to the inside face of each of the side members 45 is an inverted channel 54 into which, after the screen cloth is in position, a `rubber hose or suitable flexible holding member 55 may be inserted to prevent leakage along the sides. The holding members or tubes55 exert pressure as a result of their distortion, which pressure serves to seal the edges of the screen cloth 53V and to prevent lateral escape of liquid from the screen. Thus any liquidwhich passes out over the face of the screen has to esca the screen mesh.

In order to tension the `screen cloth 53 at the upper edge or feed end of the screen I provide the following structure. 51 is welded at its rear edge forward edge it rests upon the flange of an angle A transverse plate 59 which extends across between the side walls 45. Welded to the forward edge of the plate 51 is the angle 60 positioned to form a V-shaped trough. Overlying the plate 51 is the movable plate or clamping member l6| provided at its forward edge Iwith an inverted V-Shaped-memberl 63 indicates bolts and 64 nuts' or channel A62. .whereby the plate 6I may be drawn downwardly against the plate 51 with the channel 62 penetrating the hollow of the channel 68.

The feed edge of the screen member 53 is provided with a`n underlying rubber mat 65. vIt' may be secured in relation to the screen structure 51 by the passage through it of the bolts 63. It serves as a frictional clamping device for 'preventing any longitudinal movement or crawl of the edge of the member 53 and in connection with the clamping member 6I and the bolts 63 and the downward clamping movement of the member 62 puts a very rmand strong tension on the screen cloth 53. As the plate 6| is drawn down, the penetration. ofthe member 62 into '.the hollow of the vmember 66 puts a very strong -drag or tension on the s'creen. The position 'of y by ltravel throughv as at 58. At its l structure.

, a washer adapted to receive the thrust of the A similar tensioning means may, if desired,

be employed also at the lower edge or discharge end of the screen, .as shown for-example in Figures 4 and 7. "I therefore "show the V-shaped upwardly concave channel 10,' the downwardly.

movable clamping member 1| with its V-shaped penetrating portion 12, the securing bolts 1I and nuts 14', and the rubber pad or mat 15. The parts are shown' loose at the right of Figure 'I and locked or clamped in-position at the right hand end of Figure 4. It may not be necessary to apply tension at each end of the scr'een cloth but in most cases I iind'it practical to do so. It will be noted that the bolts 10 pass through thev bottom flange of the vtransverse angle member 11 which serves as 'an vend frame member. The outer or end flange 10:01' the member 1| slides therealong in a species of overlapping or telescoping/relationship as shown in Figures 4 and '7.`

When the screen cloth is thus drawndown it is arched over the plurality of pads 40 and tightly clamped thereagainst without the necessity oi' any superposed clamping member.` Asv moved by merely removing the members 6| and 1|' at'the opposite ends of the screen. In mounting the screen unit thusdescrib upon the frame, it will be understood that the rubber pads 24 earlier described andshown, for example in Figure 5, serve as a species of tilting or yielding connection so that although the lscreen is not pivoted or provided with any bushings or pivot members, it may tilt slightly as it is vibrated by the vibrating structure later described.. When it does tilt. or `vibrate, the rubberl sheet 40 also serves as a ilexible connection between the upper edge ofthe screen frame or unit and the feed spout structure whereby there is no frictionand no leakage an'd all the material v which is fed across the floor I3 passes out upon l the screen cloth 5l for screening.

In supporting the opposite or discharge end.

of 4the screenl frame, I provide the following Brackets or angles 00 'are mounted upon or welded to the outer iaces ofthe side members 45 and are provided. with centeringvr members or studs 0|, downwardly projecting therefrom. Positioned upon the upper flange of the side frame-members or channels 2b are rubber pads 82 upon whichare positioned metal abutment plates 03 withupwardly extending studs 84. 0 5 is any suitable locking or'securing bolt or bolts. for holding them in position. 06 indicates a vcoil spring centered by the studs 0| and 0 4 and supporting the screen in such a fashare positioned againstthe inner face of the side members 45, being held for example by positioning rings 0| apertured to permit the passage therethrough of bolts 92. Outer.,rubber cones 93 arel positioned by rings 84 -against brackets SSQapertu'red as at 06 and secured to the upper flanges of the members 2b. 91 is a vbers 40 and f the present invention.

a transversely extending shaft mounted-in any 20 nut' 00 whereby the desired degree oi' compression of the members l00 and 93 maybe oballowed while preventing side sway of the screen 6.'

and preventing any contact between the memthte side'frame members-2a, 2b of the In order to impart vibrationv to the screen', vI provide the following structure. shown as an electric motorg-may be-mounted on any suitable shelf 'or bracket |0,|. vIts drive pulley' |02 drives a` driven pulley |03 through any suitable belts |04. |05 indicates any suit- A motor |00, lo'

able bearing means for the shaft |06 upon which 1:5v

the pulley |03 is mounted. |01 diagrammatically indicates any suitable ilexiblecoupling, the details of which do not of themselves form part |08 generallyxindicates suitable anti-frictional means suchl'as I roller bearings |09, the details of which donot form part of the present invention. ||0 is an integral eccentricportion of the shaft |08. The rotation of the unbalanced shaft serves to-give the de- 25 sired throw or vibration to thel screen strucof course, necessary because of the relative movement of the screen structureas a whole with the shaft |08, the base including the side frame members 2a and 2b being normally ilxed against-movement.' The employment oi Aa ilexible coupling avoids the necessity "of Amounting the pulley |03 directlyl on the screen itself'. 'The in such fashion that their axes larestrictlyparallel. Therefore, there is no tendency to stretch motor |00 and the bearings |05 vcan be fixed 35A lthe seits m as there' iswhere a drivenvpmley is mounted directly on ayibrated screen and `is'` connected with the drivingpulleyof 'a motor'- o which is vfixed in'relati'on to the vbase'of the 1 screen. "When the pulley is mounted V'directly on' the screen, any displacement ofth'e belts willv damp the vibration ofthe screen. Also, the` puneyitself gyetes with the fun movement pf v. the screen `and gives a jerky pull 'on the belts l.'

This may cause the belts to jump -offand theA tendency is for the operators to prevent this A by tightening them to a degree that may 'effect the'k Thisis o ture Iiprovide any suitable and'p'referabl'y re- 55 movable bearing housing members 'IH and ||2 lwhich are connected by the hollow -tube or frame.

member ||3 which houses and 'encloses the shaft i |00, |0. In order `tochange the amplitiideof vibration'I provide adjustable .weights v| |'4, Ill mi housed within the members `I |v and`| |2and ad-vr justable upon sleeves ||6, ||1 which arekeyed' to the ends `of the shaft' |08'. Any suitable adjusting bolts |8 may be employed as shown in l Figures'3 and4l 10, wherebythe-weights 4', rlll 35 may' be' secured to the' sleeves I6, ||1 indiierent angular relationships to the portionv ||0 of the shaft. A pluralityofholes Il! are employed to permit this adjustment, the bolts ||0 being threaded through the desiredapertures IIS, and 70 penetrating the weights I5, as shown in Figure 3. Afny suitable outer` caps or closures "|20, 12| may "be employed whereby access may be had to' the adjusting bolts H8. I illustrate a plurality of head on the in ner end of the bolt 92 and 00 ism bolts |22 for holding the housing members 75 II2 in, place and a portion of these may also pass throughthe caps |20, I2I whereby the caps may be removed without detaching the members III, II2 from the screen frame.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may b'e made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore with my description and v drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to the precise showing of the description and drawings.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I illustrate a vibratory screen in which a normally fixed frame'may be mounted or supported upon any suitable surface or support such as the floor of a mill. Upon this base or frame which includes the longitudinally extending channels 2a and 2b, I mount the screen member properA which includes the side frame members or walls 45. The feed end of the screen rests upon the rubber strips or pads 24 and it will be understood that the member 2|, 23 is fixed in relation to and forms part of the base whereas the member 28, 29 is xed to and forms part of the screen frame. The pads in effect constitute a tilting or rocking connection. The feed spout I3, I4, I5 is also fixed in relation to the base.

Inasmuch as my screen is adapted for use as a mud screen and the prevention of leakage of the material fed is desirable, I intepose the rubber member or dam 4I) between the feed spout and the screen frame, inv such fashion as to prevent any overflow of the material at the feed end before it passes out over the screen mesh or cloth 53. Thus-in effect I have a positive support of the feed end of the screen on the base which none the less permits the desired vibration of the screen without permitting any leakage of material. is mounted upon the vertical springs 86 and is centered by the bolts 92 and their associated rubber pads 90 and 93.

Referring-'to Figures 11, 12and 13, these illustrate the movement that the cloth 53 takes from the feed end to the discharge'end of the screen.

At thefeed end there is a gentle straight line vibration which, under heaviest load, lets most of the fluid through without strain on the cloth.

vAt the center, as shown in Figure 12, there is less load'and more movement. At the discharge end, there is a minimum load and maximum movement, which takes care of the sticky material that usually binds the cloth in mud screens.

'I'he vibration is actually obtained by the rotation of the unbalanced member shown in Figure 3, the unbalanced shaft III) being mounted in the transverse circular strut H3. At the discharge end, owing to the rotation of this unbalanced member and the mounting of thld screen on the yielding support, the movement approximates a full circle as shown in Figure 13, in contrast to the straight line movement at the feed end, as shown in Figure 11. The vibratory or rotor structure is located adjacent the discharge end and gives the desired amplitude of move'inent and vibrates the entire screen. However, it is actually spaced inwardly some distance from the discharge end. The rotor structure is so located between-the lrubber blocks 24 at the end of the screen and the supporting springs 86 at the discharge end of the screen, that its e The opposite end of vthe screen` 'aioasvs weight tends to hold down the feed end of the screen and to prevent any tendency for the feed end'of the screen to dance or climb or whip. Any tendency to side sway or lateral movement is prevented by the bolts 92, while the rubber pads 90 and 93 permit the desired vibration of the screen frame in itsvertical longitudinal plane. It is highlyimportant that the screen lvibration be constrained-to a plane or planes parallel with the long axis of the screen so that there will be no tendency for the material traveling along the screen to follow an inclined path toward one side or other of the screen frame. It is important that the material follow a true path parallel with the long axis of the screen in order to prevent any tendency of the 'screen to lateral vibration. This is insured by the employment of the centering or guiding means including the bolts 92 and the pads 90 and 93, there being one of these devices on each side of the discharge end of the screen. The screen is thereby centered and held to its proper longitudinal vibration, but the flexibility of the members 90 and 93 permits the necessary vibration of the screen in its proper plane.

A further advantage or service of this centering structure is as follows: The structure, as shown in Figure 9, presents a very s mall resistance to the vibration of small amplitude which is normal to the ordinary use of the screen when operated at ordinary speeds. But in starting up or stopping the screen, there is a period of slow vibration during which there is a tendency to a much greater amplitude vof vibration which may be destructive. Whereas the rubber elements 90 and 93 present little resistance to the ordinary vibration of small amplitude and rapid -pads are suflicient to cause lthe rubber members 65, 15 which underlie the ends o f the screen to pull the screen cloth outwardly toward the screen ends. 'I'he parts are so proportioned that it-is impossible to pull the cloth taut enough to break the wires in the cloth, but the tension is suillcient to prevent any sagging or bagging between supports. No special fastenings of any kind are required and since the locking or clamping bolts 63 and 13 passthrough holes in the rubber all that is necessary in applying a new screen cloth is to cut a stretch to the proper length and then lay it in place and tighten up the bolts. l In order Vto hold down the edges of the screen and to prevent liquid from running down the sides or over the 'rubber pads 52, I

provide the inverted channels 54 and the rubber The mesh when cut to proper length is laid upon A the supports 49 with its edges stopping just short of the bolts 63 and 13 and resting on the rubber -sheets B5 and 15. I'hese sheets are perforated and threaded upon the bolts 13 and 63 so that their outer edges are held. Their inner edges andA the rest of their length are Vfree to crawl ormesh in response to tightening of the. nuts '65, 14, the result is to bend or flex the rubber sheets 65 and 15 and also the overlying portion ofthe.`

wire mesh. This bending causes a relatively light frictional locking and tensioning e'ect and the screen begins to be drawn out into tenf sion.

down toward the lockingposition, this locking or gripping effect becomes increasingly great and finally isgreat enoughto put 'a very strong tension upon the mesh, a tension suflicient for screening purposes and suiiicient to hold the mesh thoroughly tight. The fact that the screen clothlwith the ubbers 65, 15, is bent lin a v around the lower edge of .the members 82,

12 increases the frictional locking effect prol lis not strong enough to break the individual strands o f the mesh or to. tear the mesh. This does away with the human element of breaking ,cloth by undue tightening'which is so common with other types ofA screen. l

In the use of this device as a mud screen, since liquid predominates at the feed end of the screen, it is important to have a relatively gentle movement at the feed end with a progressively more violent-movement from the feed tothe. discharge end of the screen. In practice, the mud or liquid iiows' over the feed endand the liquid` rapidly passes through the screen and is removed and the material on the'screen becomes progressively drier asit passes'down the length of the screen. `'I'hat is to say, the chips and solids which remain are dried and passed down the screen and are subjected to'- an lincreasingly violentvlbratory screeningy movement. This progressively more 4 violent vibration is Iimportant becausethe material gets progressively more sticky as the lighter liquids drain through vthe feed end ofthe screen and an increasingly violent screening movement is necessary in' order to keep the screen fromA blinding and cause -it to perform lits proper screening function. The resultk is to drive 4the thicker mud through the kcloth and t'o do an effective job with a minimum of blinding, which in l practice enables this screen to do in the neighthat I may employ such an arc in `connection-v` with a substantially extending generally flat portion,4the arc beginning intermediate the ends of the screen. I may employ the arc or an inclined flat section, so that anabrupt change in slope or inclination occurs intermediate theends When the wedges 62 and 12 are moved-downwardly against the edges of thev As the members 62 and Hare moved further of the screen. As one example of such a change in slope, I may start my arc or sloping or inclined portion, say one-third or forty per cent of the length of the screen from the feed end of the screen frame. 'Ibis change in inclination may be useful in connection withthe variation in type of vibratory movement from end to end of the screen.

Referring for example to Figures 11, l2 and 13, I 'find it under some circumstances useful to subject the material to linear movement on a generally flat portion `adjacent the feed end of the screen, the linear movement, as shown in Figure 1l, tending to impart a forward convey-4 ing movement to the material on the flat portion. I also in such case find it useful to have the major slope take place toward the discharge end in connection with the more oval or rotary vibration shown 'in Figure 13. The curve or slope may be changed or graduated or varied depending upon the material being screened.' This may be done in order to cause the material to be conveyed from the feed end to the discharge end uniformly and in a layer of a thickness desirable for the particular screening or material being handled. 1

Referring to the form of Figure 2, the material advances at the feed end primarily because of the nature of the screening movement and it advances toward the discharge end in substantial part because of the increasing slope. It will be understood that theV particular form and slope shown in Figure 2 are illustrative and diagrammatic rather than intended as a limitation of my screening structure to the particular slope and arrangement therein shown.

It will be also understood that under some circumstances I may wish entirely to reverse the movement of the screenand have' the conveying movement of Figure 11 take place at the discharge end of the screen with the more oval vibration taking place at the feed end of the screen. In such an instance, I may locate the vibrating means at the feed` end of the device and maintain the linear vibration of the screen at the discharge end. This would involve reversing the relative location of the pads 24 and the supporting springs'. In that event, I may employ a heavy slope at the feed end of the screen and a horizontal or even slightly upwardly inend,

I claim: 1. In av'ibratory screen, a base, a screen frame mounted on said base, a connection between one end only of said screen frame and base including a transversely extending member on said base, van opposed transversely extending member on said frame, ra flexible j pad interposed between said members, and meansv for clamping said members against opposite sides@ of said exible padv ,including clamping members extending through said members, f cushion means interposed between said locking members and theJ faces of said members opposite to said flexible pad, and lsupporting means for the opposite .end ofv the ,screen adapted to allow a substantially morev ample vibration than the above described connection.

2. In ascreen, a base', a screen frame mounted on said base', supporting means for one end of saidscreen frame, including a pad of yielding compressible material interposed between screen screen and base having generally parallel faces and base, said pad and the' opposed parts of :sol clined cloth or screen member at the' discharge .to permit curvilinear vibration, means for vibrating said screen frame, including a rotor mounted on the end of the screen frame opposite said pad and'mea'ns for rotating it, a feed spout normally xed in relation to the base, said screenframe including upstanding walls, and a dam of exible material connecting said screen frame walls and spout, said exible dam lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the contacting faces between said pad and `the opposed parts of said screen and base.

' 3. In a screen, a base, a screen frame mounted on said base, supporting means for one end of said screen frame, including a pad of yielding compressible material interposed between screen and base, said pad and the opposed parts of screen and base having generally parallel faces inclined to the horizontal, means for clamping said pad between opposed parts of said screen vand base and for thereby constraining said end of the screen frame to a generally rectilinear vibration along a path inclined to the horizontal,

additional means for supporting the opposite endof said screen frame, said vmeans being adaptedv to permit curvilinear vibration, means for vibrating said screen frame, including a rotor mounted on the end of the screen frame opposite said pad and means for rotating it, a feed spout normally fixed in relation to the base, said screen frame including upstanding walls, and a dam of flexible material connecting said screen frame walls and spout, said exible dam lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane ofV the contacting faces between said pad and the opposed parts of said screen and base and intersecting said faces. v

4. In a supporting connection for a screen deck, a transversely extending base member, and an opposed transversely extending screen member, said members having 4opposed parallel faces inclined in relation to the horizontal, supporting means of exible compressible material interposed between said parallel surfaces, and compressionmeans adapted to maintain said flexible compressible supporting means under predetermined compression, and to prevent separation of said opposed members, while permitting-generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member.

' 5. In a supporting connection for a screen deck,

a transversely extending base member, and an opposed transversely extending screen member, said members having opposed parallel faces inclined in relation to'the horizontal, supporting means of flexible compressible material interposed between said parallel surfaces, and compression' means adapted-to maintain said flexible compressible supporting means under predetermined compression, and to prevent separation of said opposed members, while permitting generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member, said compression means including bolts passing through 'said base and screen member, and compressible cushion 6. In a screen,val'base,v a screendeckand a supporting connectionbetween one end of said deck and said base, adapted to permit simultaneously a linear vibration of said end of th'edeck and a hinging movement of the deck as a whole, including a transversely extending base member, andA an opposed transversely extendinglv screen frame member, said vmembers having, opposed parallel faces inclined in relation to the horizontal, supporting means of fiexible compressible material interposed between Vvsaid parallel surfacescompression means adapted to maintain said exible compressible supporting means `under predetermined compression and to prevent separation of said opposed members, while permitting a generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member, means for vibrating the deck, including an unbalanced means interposed between the` ends of said bolts and the faces of said base and screen members opposite to said rst mentioned supporting means of flexible compressible material.

"rotor mounted on said deck and means for rotating it, and additional supporting means for the opposite end of the deck, said additional supporting means being adapted, in response to rotation of said unbalanced rotor, to constrain the opposite end of the deck to an orbital vibration having a substantially greater vertical component than the first mentioned end of the deck.

7. In a screen, a base, a screen `frame mounted on said base, and -a supporting connection between said screen frame and basefincluding a transversely extending base member, and an op-f -posed transverselyrextending screen member, said members having opposed parallel faces, supporting means of flexible Acompressible material interposed between said parallel surfaces`,and compression means adapted to maintain said flexible compressible supporting means under predetermined compression and to prevent separation of said opposed members, while permitting a generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member, a feed spout i normally fixed in relation to the base, said screen frame including upstanding walls, anda dam of flexible' material connecting said'screen frame walls and spout, said exible dam lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of Lthe contacting faces of said opposedmembers of screen and base.

8. In a'screen, a base, a screen frame mounted on said base, and a supporting connection between said screen frame and base, including a transversely extending base member, and an opposed -transversely extending screen member, said members having opposed parallel faces, supporting means of flexible compressible material ,interposed between said parallel surfaces, land lcompression means adapted to maintain said flexible compressible supporting means under predetermined compression, and to prevent separation offsaid opposed members, while permitting a generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member, a feed spout normallyvxed in relation to the base, said ,screen frame including upstanding walls, and a dam of flexible material connecting said screen frame walls and spout, said flexible dam lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the contacting faces of said opposed members| of screen and base and intersecting their opposed faces.

9. ,In a supporting connection for a screen deck, a transversely extending base member, and an -opposed transversely extending screen member, said members having opposed parallel faces inclined in relation to the horizontal, supporting means interposed between said parallel surfaces y l tending aieaave 'and including members of nexible compressible material having portions located adjacent the inclined vparallel faces of said transversely exbase member and screen member, and compression means adapted to. maintain said members under predetermined compression, and

to prevent separation of said opposed base and screen members, while permitting a generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member. v

10. In a supporting connection for a screen deck, a transversely extending base member, and

an opposed transversely extending screen member, said members having opposed parallel faces inclined in relation to the horizontal, supporting means interposed between said parallel surfaces and including members of ii'exible compressible material having portions located adjacent the inclined parallel faces of said transversely extending base member and screen member, and compression means adapted to maintain said members under predetermined compression, and to 'prevent separation of said opposed base and screen members, while permitting a generally parallel movement of said screen member in relation to said base member, means for vibrating the` deck, including an unbalanced rotor mounted on -said deck and means for rotating it, and additional vsupporting means for the opposite end of the deck, said additional supporting means being adapted, in response'to rotation of said unbalanced rotor, to constrain the opposite end of the deck to an orbital vibration having a substantially greater vertical component than the ilrst mentioned end of the deck.-

` LOREN G. SYMONS. 

